Tribute to the late Paddy O’Hanlon RIP from Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry

10. Apr, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

10 April 2009

Tribute to the late Paddy O’Hanlon RIP from Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry

The Chairman of the Irish Catholic Bishop’s Commission for Emigrants, Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, issued the following statement on the occasion of the funeral Mass for Patrick (Paddy) O’Hanlon at St Mary’s Church, Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh. The Mass will take place on Easter Sunday, 12 April 2009.

“I wish to extend my sympathies to Paddy’s family on the occasion of his death following his recent short illness. I extend my sympathies on behalf of the emigrant family which is associated with the work of the Irish Bishop’s Council for Emigrants.

“Emigrants are deeply indebted to Paddy. As chairman of the Task Force for Emigrants we saw his great attributes used for the benefit of a forgotten people. When the Task Force Report was published Paddy did not consider his work had finished. He ensured that the momentum continued and this culminated in the establishment of a Unit for the Irish Abroad in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. Paddy’s work succeeded in connecting thousands of members of our global Irish family. Paddy’s role as chairman of the Task Force provided a calm, focused and practical framework that will support this work into the future. This is indeed an enduring legacy which counts as one amongst his many legacies.”